Delivery Driver Job Description

Job overview

On average, delivery drivers make $13.27 an hour

Some delivery driver jobs require special licenses

Delivery drivers may have to work evenings and weekends

What do delivery drivers do?

Does the open road call to you? Do you love the feel of the wind in your hair? Then the life of a delivery driver may be the right life for you. Simply put, delivery drivers transport goods from one place to another. There are many different types of drivers, including tractor-trailer drivers, food delivery drivers and small package delivery drivers.

Tractor-trailer drivers handle large amounts of cargo and transport them long distances - sometimes even cross-country. They're responsible for delivering their goods on time, taking care of their truck, refueling and obeying traffic laws. As a tractor-trailer driver, you might transport cars one day, clothing the next and livestock the day after that. One thing is for sure: you'll be on the road more often than not.

We're betting you've seen a food delivery driver or two in your time - after all, pizza delivery drivers fall into this category. As a food delivery driver, you'll deliver food to people's homes, take money and make change. Part of your paycheck will come from tips, so you'll want to be fast and friendly. You'll also need to have your own wheels.

Order anything online lately? It was probably delivered to your doorstep by a small package delivery driver. They work for places like UPS, FedEx and the U.S. Postal Service and are responsible for handling items, delivering them quickly and getting signatures when needed. These drivers usually work daytime hours and have a specific area they cover.

How much do delivery drivers make?

You won't become a millionaire on a delivery driver's salary, but you certainly will be able to pay the bills. On average, delivery drivers make $13.27 an hour. Heavy truck and tractor-trailer drivers make a little more than average: $16.85 an hour. Delivery drivers, on the other hand, (like pizza delivery drivers and dry cleaning delivery drivers) make less than average - about $10 an hour. On average, couriers and other package delivery drivers make between $9 and $25 dollars an hour.

What are the education requirements?

Most places hiring delivery drivers require a high school education, a valid driver's license and a clean driving record. However, if you'd like to drive heavy trucks or tractor trailers, you'll need your CDL (commercial driver's license) and will need to attend special classes.

Career paths for delivery drivers

There are plenty of career opportunities if you've got a passion for driving. Tractor-trailer drivers who are good at what they do can be promoted to a trainer position or even a management position. Local delivery drivers can score coveted delivery routes or work their way into a supervisory role.

The future of delivery driver jobs

As the economy improves, more and more truck drivers will be needed as companies produce more goods. According to the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) over half a million new delivery driver jobs will be created in the next few years.